In 2016 the award was instituted by Brightlands as a tribute to Marc Cornelissen, sustainability pioneer and polar explorer who was killed in an accident at the age of 46 in 2015 during a polar expedition.
The Marc Cornelissen Brightlands Award is intended for candidates who set themselves apart in keeping with the spirit of Marc Cornelissen in their collaborative leadership and cross-border partnerships to make our world more sustainable. It is a way of encouraging talented pioneers to persevere, show courage and leadership on the road to achieving their dream. The award competition offers all participants a Brightlands platform for knowledge, networking and collaboration, and for the winner, a cash prize of €35,000 to accelerate the realization of their dream.
Registration is now open and will close on November 15. Entries will be judged by an independent jury consisting of:
- Emmo Meijer (Chair), Professor of Organic Chemistry TU/E
- Ellen Cornelissen, on behalf of the Cornelissen family
- Bert Kip, CEO of Brightlands Chemelot Campus
- Mariëlle Heijltjes, Professor Managerial Behavior, Maastricht University
- Freek van Eijk, Director Holland Circular Hotspot and vice-president of Circular Biobased Delta
- Marcel Wubbolts, Chief Science & Sustainability Officer, Corbion
The jury members will compile a shortlist of ten candidates. These candidates will pitch for one of the three finals in December.
More information and registration options can be found on the award website.
Image: Marc Cornelissen
